Prof. Mayatta Ndiaye MBAYE, OHADA Permanent Secretary, undertook a diplomatic mission to Madagascar from 21 to 27 March 2024, with the support of UNIDA and ACP Legal Océan Indien, represented locally by Rindra HARIZO, Vice-President of ACP Legal Océan Indien. On this occasion, numerous activities were carried out with the aim to present the OHADA system, its 17 member countries, its achievements and prospects, including the challenges of having other African countries, such as the Republic of Madagascar, on board.

The Permanent Secretary paid a courtesy visit to Malagasy authorities, and was successively received in audience by H.E. Mrs Rafaravavitafika RASATA, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Mrs Vahinisoa RASAMOELY, Secretary General of the Ministry of Trade.

He also held a meeting with the diplomatic representations of OHADA member states accredited to Antananarivo, to raise their awareness on the need to include OHADA's assets into their economic diplomacy strategies.

Among the organizations representing the private sector, the Permanent Secretary met with the Board of Directors of the Fivondronan'ny Mpandraharaha Malagasy, chaired by Rivo RAKOTONDRASANJY, the Madagascar Employers' Union (Groupement des Entreprises de Madagascar) chaired by Francis RABARIJOHN, in the presence of the outgoing Chairman Thierry RAJAONA, and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Madagascar Industries Union (Syndicat des Industries de Madagascar - SIM), Mr. Tiana RASAMIMANANA.

Discussions with these employers' organizations resulted in the need to set up a consultation framework for private sector stakeholders to support OHADA promotion initiatives in Madagascar.

A working session was also held with Mr. Alain RAONDRY, President of the Bar Association of Madagascar.

In addition to these meetings with public authorities and key stakeholders from the private sector, the Permanent Secretary, at the invitation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, gave a conference which was attended by some 50 senior executives and diplomats. Subsequent discussions focused on a presentation of the OHADA system, its particularities and its assets.

Lastly, at the University of Fianarantsoa, the Permanent Secretary attended the solemn ceremony during which he presented diplomas to graduates of the first batch of the Master 2 programme in Regional Integration Law, of which he is patron.

This OHADA-focused course was set up as part of the “Improving the Business Climate in the Indian Ocean” project, sponsored by the European Union through INTERREG funds, with the Mayotte Chamber of Commerce and Industry as lead partner and the ACP Legal Océan Indien association as main partner.

The Permanent Secretary takes this opportunity to thank all those who contributed to the success of this diplomatic tour.

The Permanent Secretary
Prof. Mayatta Ndiaye MBAYE
https://www.ohada.org